Dodworth

Coordinates: 53°32′30″N 1°31′17″W / 53.5417°N 1.5214°W / 53.5417; -1.5214

Dodworth
Dodworth  Dodworth shown within South Yorkshire
Population	5,742
OS grid reference	SE318051
Metropolitan borough	Barnsley
Metropolitan county	South Yorkshire
Region	Yorkshire and the Humber
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BARNSLEY
Postcode district	S70-S75
Dialling code	01226
Police	South Yorkshire
Fire	South Yorkshire
Ambulance	Yorkshire
EU Parliament	Yorkshire and the Humber
UK Parliament	Barnsley Central
List of places: UK • England • Yorkshire

Dodworth is a village in the metropolitan borough of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, England. It has a population of 5,742.^[1]

History

Dodworth is a former coal mining village with approximately 5,800 people The land occupying the former mine (known locally as the pit) is now the Dodworth Business Park. The "muck" stack from the pit is clearly visible throughout the village although the term 'muck' is derogatory. During the early 1980s, a mass planting of silver birch trees began to halt erosion and create a wildlife habitat^{[citation needed]} Over the past twenty years, trees and wildlife have flourished. Now the whole of the East, South and West side are covered with trees. The North side is occupied by farmland and to the untrained eye, the former 'muck stack' is completely invisible apart from the rise. For further reading, see local author and historian Steve Wyatt's history of mining in the village.

The crossroads at the top of Dodworth lead to Barnsley and Manchester. The crossroads acted as a trading point for salt brought from Cheshire during medieval times proving to be one of the oldest trading routes in the area^{[citation needed]} Along the High Street sit a number of old weavers 'cottages'^{[citation needed]} These three storey buildings supplied fine linen cloth to markets everywhere. Halfway down the High Street lies Jermyn Croft, so named because of the numerous old cofts leading from the road to the stream in the bottom.

Across the road from the library is one of the oldest buildings in the village dating back to 1600. Evidence of which can still be clearly seen above the front door facing the High Street. During the village's 'hayday', many ale houses totalling some ten pubs over a half mile stretch of the High Street reflected the vast mining population at the time^{[citation needed]}

Current development

There are established private housing estates at Baslow Crescent and Strafford Walk. Extensive newer housing dominates the east side of Dodworth around Water Royd Drive and Rose Hill Drive. The Water Royd Drive area is often referred to as the 'In and Out' estate by locals as many commuters from outside the village see this area as having easy access to the motorway links with house prices being reflective of their desirability. Further development has happened to the west with new housing at Champany Fields and Green Road and luxury apartments on Barnsley Road. These new homes are popular for commuters working in Barnsley, Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds and many other centres. There is employment locally at the Dodworth Business Park and Fall Bank Industrial Estate.

House prices in the last few years have risen sharply, reflecting the desire to live in the village. The soon to be relocated train station adds to its attraction with direct lines running straight to Huddersfield and Barnsley. A new Hotel has been built along with a new Toby Carvery on Capitol Park close to the M1 junction.

The Dodworth bypass, near junction 37, M1, was completed in early 2007. The bypass allows commuters to travel from central Barnsley, or the motorway, to Silkstone and surrounding areas, without travelling through Dodworth. A new Business Park called Capitol Park, part funded through the European Objective One scheme, is under construction along the bypass.

Pharmaceutical company Galpharm International operate from a purpose-built distribution and office complex in the village.

A memorial dedicated to the families of the 1,500 miners killed in the area is currently being considered. Plans have been put forward to site the monument in a prominent position on the High Street.

Transport links

Proximity to the M1 Junction 37 means that Dodworth ward has a high proportion of commuters to Sheffield and Leeds. It also has easy access to Manchester along the A628 over Woodhead. Many people also work in Barnsley town centre which is within 3 miles for all residents.

Also, Dodworth railway station on the Huddersfield-Sheffield line provides easy access to Barnsley Centre, Sheffield, Leeds (change at Barnsley) and other nearby towns and cities.

Stagecoach are the leading bus company which operates through Dodworth. Stagecoach, have recently changed their services through the village, dramatically cutting down services going through the main road in Dodworth, opting instead to travel through less populated areas in the village.

The new road system linking the motorway junction to the A628 towards Silkstone and Manchester, has bypassed what was once a busy thorough fare, producing a much quieter and sought after retreat for villagers.

Public amenities

Dodworth has two Hotels, Brooklands Hotel (formerly Brooklands Motel) and The Bluebell Inn. Brooklands has been recently re-built by the Brook Group, and is famous for the Barnsley Chop. The original Restaurant invented this dish. Brooklands contains a Restaurant, Blakes Lounge Bar, The Scarlett Club and an on site Bannatyne's Health Club (formerly Premier Livingwell). A new hotel is currently being constructed at Junction 37 of the M1 Motorway next to the Toby Cavery Restaurant which will become Dodworth's third large hotel.

Notable pubs in the Village are the Travellers Inn on Green Road and The Thornely Arms in the High Street. Other pubs in Dodworth are The Gate Inn. There is also Dodworth Central Social Club and a Gilroyd Club. In July 2007, The Station Inn closed for refurbishment, and re-opened as a "out of town" wine bar, (renamed, The Station inn), to compete with swelling popularity of surroundiings restaurants. The Pheasant Inn (which spent some time being called The Graf) was demolished in December 2007 and is due to become residential housing - Note this was not the original Pheasant - which was an older building a little further down the road and dated back to the pre 1700's. The Miners Inn (which spent some time being called The Dodworth Arms) was closed in around 2003 and turned into a Children's Nursery.

The village has two Indian Restaurants, Curry Mahal and The Dilraj Indian Restaurant. Dilraj occupies the former Horse and Jockey pub. There is also a Chinese Take-away called Jade City, and two award winning^{[citation needed]} Fish and Chip shops, namely Roland's Gate Fisheries at Barnsley Road and Shaw's at Station Road.

The village has several shops. The main ones are Budgens (previously Somerfield) (previously the Co-op) in the High Street and the Post Office, which is also the Pharmacy. The rest are mainly in the High Street, which include a Music Shop, Shoe Shop, Craft & Hobby Shop, a Hairdresser, a Jeweler, Sandwich Shop and Cafe.

The Post Office also includes the new doctor's offices, and a beauty salon.

Other facilities include the Miners' Welfare. This has several Bowling greens, two football pitches, a cricket field and a rugby pitch. Dodworth ARLFC compete in the Pennine Division One and won the Southwest Yorkshire Cup in the 2007-08 season. The Miners' Welfare is also the home of the award winning Dodworth Colliery M.W Brass Band.

Education

Dodworth has two primary schools, Dodworth St. John the Baptist Church of England (Voluntary Aided) Primary School (formerly Dodworth Junior School; amalgamated with Dodworth C of E (VA) Infant School in 2002) and Keresforth Primary School. The main Secondary school close to Dodworth is The Kingstone School on Broadway, and The Penistone Grammar School, in nearby Penistone.

Dodworth Branch Library is situated at the top of the High Street next to the War Memorial, and as well as functioning as a local library provides internet access and a 'Study Support' service for local children.

Churches

There are three Churches in Dodworth, Dodworth Methodist Church, St John the Baptist Parish Church with three military graves, and Rosehill Wesleyan Reform Church on Keresforth Rd adjacent to the school.

See also

List of Yorkshire Pits

References

1. ^ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Urban Areas : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Retrieved 2009-08-26

External links

• Website about Dodworth